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COPPER STOLEN FROM TWO HISTORIC FREDERICKSBURG SITESFree-Lance Star: "Employees of two downtown historic sites reported yesterday that copper downspouts were stolen from the exterior of the buildings. The thefts occurred at some time between 6:00 pm on Saturday evening and 9:00 am on Monday morning at the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop on Caroline Street and the Mary Washington House on Charles Street.

Copper is generally stolen because of its lucrative cash value at scrap yards and recycling businesses. Copper guttering is particularly vulnerable to theft because of its accessibility on the outside of a building and the typical ease of its removal and transport."

COMPRIMISE REACHED ON DC HOSPITAL BOARDWashington Examiner: "Mayor Vince Gray pulled from D.C. Council consideration Tuesday a bill to expand the United Medical Center's board of directors, a move he believed would help him privatize the D.C.-owned hospital.

Gray said he changed his mind when three board members indicated to him they would resign after initially refusing to do so. But it also helped that at-large Councilman David Catania agreed to expedite the approval process for the nominees that would replace the outgoing board members, the mayor said."

RECEIPT CHECKS COULD COME TO ALL DC SAFEWAY STORESDCist: "Yesterday, when we wrote about the Waterfront Safeway instituting a receipt-check policy, many commenters argued that the policy was something that would be good for the store, which has apparently been struggling to stop shoplifters. But Jenny Rogers reports today that Safeway spokesperson Craig Muckle said the policy "could be rolled out at all District Safeway stores by the end of the year.""
DEVELOPER MD JOCKEY CLUB IN CASINO FIGHTThe Capital: "The developer of the slots casino at Arundel Mills mall sued rival companies Tuesday, claiming they illegally tried to block its plans and damage its business.

In a 43-page lawsuit filed in Baltimore City Circuit Court, the Cordish Co. accuses the Maryland Jockey Club and its owners of trying to sabotage its Maryland Live! casino.

“(Maryland Jockey Club’s) illegal actions include fraud in the collection of referendum signatures, conspiring with a group of Indian Trusts to defame The Cordish Co., tortious interference with our clients’ contact and business relations and improper actions to delay the opening of the Arundel Mills casino,” the company said in a statement announcing the lawsuit."